 | IWA Peterborough Branch www.iwapeterborough.org.uk | |
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Comments of Northampton and Peterborough branches of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) on the proposals of the Environment Agency for additional public moorings.
Note: Locations written in Plain Type indicate Environment Agency suggested sites.
Locations written in Bold Type indicate additional / alternative sites suggested by the IWA.
All references to left or right banks are to the banks as they would appear to a boater navigating up the river from Peterborough.
1) Orton Lock, Peterborough: it appears that the Agency envisages moorings above the lock. As the left hand bank is occupied by the moorings of Peterborough Yacht Club it is assumed that the reference is to the right hand bank. There is space to construct public moorings there and those moorings would be near a public house and a golf course. A footpath also passes the site. However the site is relatively isolated and misguided golf balls may become a problem. The area is also subject to loutish behaviour near both the lock itself and the Yacht Club where there have been a number of break- ins. An unattended boat would not necessarily be safe in such a location. It is therefore suggested that the better choice would be as at 2 below.
2) Ferry Meadows, Peterborough: there are two floating pontoons in Ferry Meadows about 90 feet long each. There is still congestion in Ferry Meadows and to ease that it is suggested that a further floating pontoon should be installed.
3) Alwalton Lock: it is assumed that the intention is to create moorings in the backwater. This would give easy access to the village and would appear to be a good site.
4) Water Newton Lock: it is suggested that public moorings to serve Castor/ Ailsworth could be constructed in the backwater on the Peterborough side of Water Newton lock.
5) Stibbington: it is not clear what site is intended. It is understood that there are plans to build moorings beside the Nene Valley Railway station. If this is what is intended it would provide a good site.
6) Wansford: there is an existing informal arrangement whereby boats pull in to land just to the Peterborough side of the old Wansford bridge on land which is believed to belong to the Haycock. No doubt the object is often that pub. It can be difficult to get up the bank particularly in wet conditions. It would make a good site to create public moorings with a landing stage. The possibility should be explored of a partnership with the pub with the pub contributing the site (a lease/licence to the Agency?) and possibly some of the cost of construction.
In default of this another site would be on the right bank of the river upstream of Wansford lock. The ownership of this land is unknown although it could be common land.
7) Elton Lock: it is not clear where precisely the Agency intends to locate moorings. However, immediately above Elton lock on the left bank there are some, at present, informal moorings. They could be made official public moorings with a landing stage and steps. The moorings would serve Elton. Consider as a site for refuse disposal.
8)Warmington Lock: if the intention is to create moorings beside Elton Boat Club there is already in place a sign saying that no craft in excess of 30feet in length can turn. Moorings in that area would serve the village but they would be of limited value unless a winding hole for boats of up to 70 feet was created. The cost of this additional work may make it more economic to look elsewhere.
9) Ashton Lock: unofficially mooring takes place in the backwater above Ashton lock. It is assumed that this is the site being considered by the Agency. Public moorings could be created there to serve Ashton. The ownership of the land is unknown.
10) Oundle: there are no public moorings serving this town. Some could be created on the meadow land on the east of the town where the old main road from Peterborough enters the town on a bridge which crosses the river.
11) Upper Barnwell Lock: it is assumed that the site the Agency has in mind is that above the lock on the left bank. While it would enable boaters to frequent the pub/restaurant beside the lock it would not be a good mooring to gain access to Oundle itself. The road between the lock and Oundle proper is fast and pedestrians would have to gain access to the town across a narrow bridge which is controlled by traffic lights.
12) Wadenhoe: although there are pub moorings in this village they are limited in size. It would be useful to have public moorings as well. They could be created on the north bank at the upstream end of the village.
13) Islip Lock: it is believed that the site envisaged by the Agency is below the lock and beside the premises of Thrapston Sailing Club. This would be an acceptable site.
14) [Wellingborough: the problems with Wellingborough Embankment are well known. Public mooring is currently virtually impossible. Some solution needs to be found which will enable boaters to moor and access the services available in the town. If the District Council does not regard the repair of its Embankment as a priority, an interim solution should be sought elsewhere in the vicinity]
15) Earls Barton: public moorings should be created to facilitate access to this village. The suggested site is upstream of Barton lock on the left bank. This site is already used informally for mooring. A public right of way passes the site and would aid access to the village.
16) Cogenhoe: public moorings should be created to serve this village. The suggested site is upstream of Cogenhoe lock on the right bank.
17) Weston Favell Lock: it is assumed that the reference on the Agency plan is to the imminent work which will result in the construction of a landing stage downstream of this lock. It will be for the use of those using the lock. While there is no objection to this work the structure will not constitute a public mooring facility
18) Northampton Washlands: it is assumed that the reference on the Agency plan is to the imminent work which will result in the construction of an emergency mooring immediately upstream of Weston Favell barrage gate to be used during high flow events. While there is no objection to this work the structure will not constitute a public mooring facility.
19) Northampton: the Agency proposes the construction of additional public moorings in Northampton. This is supported.
Comment on the Agency’s Plan of the Nene
Moorings at the foot of Woodford Village
Because of the small scale of the Plan and the fact that various symbols are superimposed on top of each other it is not clear how the Agency regards the moorings at the foot of Woodford Village on the right bank. They are in fact private moorings.
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